Shoe-last.



M. M. Mmmm.

SHOE LAST. APPLICATION FILED' Dias, i915.

f /v y MATTHEW M. MERRI'IT,

UCTS COMPANY, F BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS ASSIGNOR TO COPPER PROD A CCRPORATION OF MAINE.

sHoEv-Las'r.

Application tiled December 3. 1915.

. To all whom 'it may concern.'

Be it known that I, MATTHEW M. Mnnnrr'r, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Danvers, county of Essex, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, (Whose post-olice address Danvers, Massachusetts,) have invented an Improvement in Shoe-Lasts, of which the in connection with the followmg description,

is a specification,

accon'ipanying drawings,

like cliaracters on the drawings representing like parts.

This invention relates to metal surfaced articles wherein cle is composed stance, such as to give shape to the article, face thereof is composed of a of closely adhering metal rately the contour of the core. The inventlon has a great variety of uses, but as a specilic application thereof I have described it as applied. to a shoe last intended more particularly for use in the manufacture of rubber boots or shoes. ,While this is merely one specilic embodiment of the invention, the service to which alastof that kind is out welll illustrates'som-e of the advantages ollowing its use.-

It has been found in practiceI that a material, such for *be turned down in a wood or the like, employed while the surprotective layer following' accushaping machine and thereby accurately and economically shaped to take thel exact form required for a rubmost suitable material `:for that purpose. Wood has heretofore been the material generally used despite certaifi Well recognized disadvantages. One disauvantage is the porosity 'of the wood and its l* tendency alternately to -swell and shrink Y of rubber shoe manufacture is When subjected to changes in temperature' vand moisture. This characteristic has neces'- sitated the .use for rubber shoe lasts 'o the more expensive and harder kinds of wood, and even this material must be subjected to a long process of preparation prior to forming it into lasts, such process involving seasoning the Wood for a period of from three to four years and then heating or baking' it for a Afurther long period, Even with these precautions the heat and moisture to which the wooden lasts are subjected in the process suchV that they tend to undergo Wide variations in size owing to shrinkage or swelling at diferent Specification o! Le r te 'r11 Parent.

the core or body of the arti` of some non-metallic subexample as Wood, which can vwood or other suitable latcnted Oct. 22, 1918. Serial No. 64,907.

times. The process wooden lasts is expensive the investment of considerable capital in a non-productive stato for a long period of time. These wooden lasts when completed are easily destructible, the edges and sharp contours tending to wear down, due to a charring process, and the surface being readily dented and splintered as well as abraded where the edges of the shoe are trimmed on the last. When worn out the lasts are waste product having no reclaiming value.

Efforts have been made to produce a metallic last by casting the last in a mold,- but these have been accompanied with disadvantages. Uhrinkagc and other feet-ions which are inherent in this method of manufacture not only produce defective lasts, but, what is of greater importance, cause non-uniformity in the product and discrepancies in size and shape from the intended form as embodied in the wooden pattern used in lorn'ling the mold. The last producedby this process is furthermore expensive and the limitations of the process are such that for the economical production of the lasts there is considerable delay in their unumlacture. This is a serious disadvantage where rapidly changing' styles are concerned. l, have .found that b r taking a base of or similar material and applying thereto a surface of metal following the contour of the wooden base, I am enabled to produce a last which has all the advantages of the accurate and easily produced contour of the wooden last and also in substance the durability and unchanging clniracteristics and unalterability of the metallic last when subjected dit-ions oi.5 rubber shoe manufacture. Preferably, though not necessarily, the metallic of preparing these impercoating entirely covers the wooden form so relatively softer and lighterand more por-- ous wood and a relatively greener Wood may be employed without the long exposure to in that it requiredA certain to the severe con-v the seasoning and drying process referred to ent to the wood and following accurately all the irregularities 1n thesurfaco thereof.

The electrolytically deposited-copper has arelatively great density and hardness so that it is well adapted to resist denting and scratchingv lt is also susceptible of taking a high polish, thus reducing the wear on the edges and other portions where the Wooden last is most susceptible of wear. The knots, seams and other imperfections in the wood may be completely covered and protected by the elcctrolytically deposited coating, thereby makingr it 'possible to employ Wood for this purpose not otl'ierwise usable. l am thus enabled to avail of the superiority of Wood as a material capable of being accurately, economically and quickly shaped, While its usual disadvantages are eliminated by its combination with the metallic coatin.

The invention will be best understood by reference to the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying illustration of one specific embodiment thereof, while. its scope will be n'iore particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

ln the drawings: 'Figure is a sectional elevation of a last embodying one form of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional View partly diagram matic in character showing the method of depositing the metal surface on the Wooden form; and y Fig. 3 is a detail showing the method of securing the electrodes to the last during the process of depositingthe metal thereon.

Referring to the drawings' and lirst to llig. l, l. have there illust-rated a last of a form intended for use in rubber shoe manufacture, This last composed .of the wooden core l of a predetermined size and shape, the shape and size of cores varying with the infinite variety of patterns required. This wooden ba'se turned down to' the required size on the usual shapine' machine, allowance being'made, if desire(A for the increased thickness due to the subsequently applied surface of metal.

Y.level-ing the. Wooden base, and. herein for its entire surface, is a 'protective layer of metal 2, :i-lornposed of electrolytically dcposited metal, herein copper, 'forming a closely adhering jacket following the exact shape and contour of the `Wooden core and exhibiting' all the charzu'toristics of the form thereof. The thickness of the copper covering may be varied to moet different condi@ tions of ,use as it is only nic ssary to inv `been completed, the

Aof the last atthe spindle holes conductors and 'the last so that the y A`piace evenly throughout the surface thereof..

menace crease the time of exposure to the electrolytic bath or .the current density to increase the thickness of the coating.` In the form of last shown in the drawings, the copper covering is approximately one sixty-fourth of an inchin thickness, but it may be made thinner or increased to any desired extent. ln the case of a last, however', it is desirable to keep within such limits as willinsure a close correspondence by the metallic surface to the exact contour of the form'. r`he electrolytic deposit may be applied' in any well known way and by means of any well known copper bath.

ln Fig. 2 I have represented at 3 a tank containing the electrolyte l and the anodes 5 and l between which is in'nnersedthe last or other form 7. Prior to immersio'njthe last is first preferably coated with some suitable \\'ater]nooing material such as shellac or paraliin or `water glass to prevent the absorption of moisture from the electrolyte, and is tlien co\ered with a thin, conductive coating of suitable conductive niaterial such as graphite which can be readily brushed over the wooden surface to producel a conductive surface on Which to deposit the .met-al. i

lin order to provide for a uniform depohiv sition of the metal upon the form, l make use of conductors` having surface contact with the form and insulated from the bath.

As a convenient method of fastening` the terminals of these conductors to the last and holding the latter in suspension1 l have provided 4one or more plugs 8 oflead or other suitable material, the same being embedded in the. last flush with the top thereof and bored to provide 'the spindle holes 9, which later can be utilized to support the last in the process of shoe manufacture. inserted in the spindle holes 9 are the conductor terminals l0, exposed portions of which are insulated at ll. nected by the screws l2, also insulated from the electrolyte, to the conductor 13, which latter passes through the hollow insulating material to any suitable current source eX- tei'ior to the tank. lifter the deposition has last is removed from the tank and the terminals l() Withdrawn, leaving the last covered uniformly with the, copper covering except at the spindle holes The lead plugs 8 serve to seal the Wood which would otherwise be unprotected andv at the same .time serve as a convenient means for soeur contact between the electric the conductive coating on deposition tends to take ing` a surface "lhe lead plugs or inserts 8 not only provide means for securii'ig an internal, protected Contact between the circuit'termmal or terminals 'lll and the conductive surface 1,asa,ase

Y applied to the last, but they also constitute herein described for purposes of illustration reinforcements of relatively better o Wear-1 one specific form of the invention, the same resisting material vthan the wood for that Ais' not limited to the exact details herein` set part of lthevvooden core which it is necessary forth or the particular use or application 5 tosocket upon the spindle supports. In the, made thereof, butthat extensivedeviations f" case of articles where greater wearfresisting may be made therefrom without departing qualities are required than are afforded by from ythe spirit thereof. lead, the wood or other material of the core Claims; o may be reinforced by steel, brass or any l. Arubber shoe last having la wooden vother desired material applied to the core core andame'tallic surfaceentirely inclosing or base in the form of an insert, or yin any 'the same and one or more metallic inserts other desired manner: Such reinforcement, .in the head of the last, said insert or inserts however, can be `applled as in the last lllusbeing bored to provide a spindle hole or f trated in the drawings, so that it both seals tzholes.

145 and protects the material ofA the core-4to n 2. A shoe lastlprovided with a core or which it is applied and alsoperlints'the body lof a. material having relatively low Ycovering of metal to ,be deposited over anyl Wear-resisting qualities, one or, more meexposed portions of the reinforc`e- 't' itselfi, tallic inserts inthe Ahead of the last, said leaving' a perfectly smooth, copi- 20l ering'.

insert or inserts beingy bored to provide a spindle hole or holes, and a hard protective The last produced by the processldescribed layer of -electrolytically deposited metal consists of the Wooden form covered entirely cgvlerin the exposed surface of'said last.

a0 face not only form no detriment to the-depo- 'fss " Wear or usage.

4o to shrinking andsielhng' as i(thejinprof by a. dense, hard, thin layer of copper which 3. A s 10e last having one or more metallic is susceptible to a high polish and which fol- .inserts in the head of the last, said insert or i .25 lows the exact vconfiguration of the Wooden inserts being bored to provide a spindle hole i core as to all details, bringing out all edges or holes, and a hard shell of electrolytically and curvesA in sharp definition and with exdeposited metal forming the surface of the act fidelity. The resence of roughness, last and joining said insert or inserts in the pores or other small lrregularities inthe surhead of the last. l

4. A. last having a metal reinforcing piece sition of metal on 'the surface of the core, at the top thereof andan electrolytically debut-actually assist in causing a firmer and pos/ited shell, said reinforcing piece providinseparable adherence of the metallic coat-/ing an inwardly extending projectIon ening to the` surface of the core, Whichaadhe/r gaging the form on which said shell was ence, however, is naturallyrsuch as to, re-f, .electrolytically deposited.

vent the separation of thepjcoating 'fromthe In. testimony whereof I havel signed my core through an ordinary-conditions of pame to this specification in the presence he woodf he' ing protected 'two subscribing Witnesses. l

Y by the -metall'i I 41w: ATTHEW M MERRIIIT tected last of wood-.anlgjtlia v I thelastlis greatl be l,

may 'of Witnesses:

' y y' Trionfale B. BOOTH, Lin;v o 'ROBERT' H. HARRIS.'

sov 

